Anticaries dentifrice

Abstract

An anti-caries composition has a source of hydrogen citrate ions, preferably an alkali metal hydrogen citrate salt, an oxalate salt and an orally acceptable excipient, and optionally further comprises an ionic fluorine-containing compound. The composition may be in the form of dentifrice when silica is the preferred abrasive, or a mouthwash.

I claim: 
     
       1. An oral hygiene composition in the form of a non-fluoride dentifrice, comprising: (a) greater than 0 to 10% by weight of a source of hydrogen citrate ions;   (b) greater than 0 to 7% by weight of an oxalate salt;   (c) an orally acceptable excipient; and   (d) a dentally acceptable abrasive; the composition having a pH of from 4 to 7 and containing no fluoride anti-caries agent.     
     
     
       2. A dentifrice according to claim 1 wherein the source of hydrogen citrate ions is a soluble alkali metal salt. 
     
     
       3. A dentifrice according to claim 2 wherein the salt is a hydrogen citrate salt. 
     
     
       4. A dentifrice according to claim 1 wherein the source of hydrogen citrate ions is present in an amount of from 0.025 to 10% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       5. A dentifrice according to claim 1 wherein the oxalate salt is an alkali metal oxalate or an alkaline earth metal oxalate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       6. A dentifrice according to claim 1 wherein the oxalate salt is present in an amount of from 0.0025 to 7% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       7. A dentifrice according to claim 1 wherein the abrasive is selected from the group consisting of dicalcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphates, alumina, aluminium hydroxide, pumice, plastics particles, zinc orthophosphate and silica. 
     
     
       8. A method of preventing or treating caries which method comprises the application to a subject of an effective amount of a dentifrice of claim 1 to the oral cavity. 
     
     
       9. A dentifrice according to claim 1, wherein said abrasive is a silica abrasive.